| 
How to
Get Started ATV Racing
::Continued::
| Preparing
for Your 1st ATV Racing Event |
Once you have decided what kind of racing you are
interested in, it would be a good idea to check
out some races at your local tracks to get an idea
of what it’s all about and ask any questions
you may have. Sometimes local dealerships will have
info on where races are being held in your area.
Some other good sources of information are the ATVA
web site, where you can find out what racing
district you are in if you are wanting to race national
events.
When you go to check out the races, don’t
hesitate to talk to other racers that are there
if you have questions. Other racers are a good
source of information and are usually very willing
to give some pointers to help new people get started
in the sport. Watching the speed and skill level
of the racers on the track is a good way to gauge
which class you should enter. While at the track
make sure to find out the track rules, costs,
and riding gear and set-up requirements for racing
that particular series.
Luckily, the basics for most riding gear and
ATV setup requirements are very similar for all
types of racing. The basic requirements for riding
gear are a helmet, riding boots, goggles, gloves,
roost deflector, riding pants (no shorts) and
a long sleeve jersey.
| |
|
| Safety
gear is must before attempting your first
ATV race, and over the ankle riding boots,
long pants & shirt, gloves, helmet,
and goggles are typically required. Sure
you could where jeans with a long sleeve
shirt, but these materials will not stand
up to a wreck, so I recommend purpose designed
riding gear along with a high quality helmet
that is Snell approved. Also, a Chest Protector,
knee braces, and the new Leatt Brace, are
also great extras that could really save
you from serious injury, and many of the
Pros are starting to wear Leatt Braces like
Harold Goodman |
The basic requirements for your ATV include a
tether killswitch, nerf bars, and number plates
that are visible on both the front and back of
your quad. Most tracks prefer you to choose a
three-digit race number that is unique to you,
which helps reduce duplicate numbers and confusion
in scoring, and if at all possible, try to refrain
from using numbers with combinations of 6 and
9 and the ever-dreaded 420. These numbers are
over used and absolutely scream “rookie”.
| |
|
A tether cord
/ kill switch is required to compete in
any ATV racing event, and in the event
of an accident, the cord will pull free
from the ATV and shut off the engine to
prevent a run away ATV. Several new 450
class ATVs now come with tether cords
and many OEMs now offer easy to install
kits as well like the GYTR unit displayed
above. It shouldn't take more than 30
minutes to install a tether cord with
instructions, but be careful not to short
out your electrical system without proper
installation.
Finally, nerf
bars are required for motocross &
dirt track racing, but they are not required
for most other types of racing, but they
are highly recommended along with heel
quards for added leg and foot protection
|
Once you have found a local track, check to see
if they have practice days for ATV’s and
go out and practice. Getting out on the track
with other riders is a great way to not only improve
your skills, but also get familiar with the track
set-up and meet other people who are involved
in the sport.
Now that you’ve gone through all the motions
and race day has arrived, make sure you give yourself
plenty of time to find parking and get checked
in as sometimes pit areas can be crowded and there
can be long lines at the registration booths.
Most events will have a racers meeting before
the action starts to go over rules, any changes,
and answer questions.
| |
|
|
It
is best to arrive the evening before the
race to get registered and go through tech
inspection because there are typically lines
are both of these areas, and it best to
have your plate clean for race day, so you
can just focus on the race and not stress
about just making it to the start of the
race in time. Also, be sure to bring along
some tools, extra gas, spare goggles &
gloves just to name a few things because
it is better to be prepared |
In motocross, riders will usually be allowed
a couple of practice laps before the races begin;
however, this is not the case for cross-country
style races. One important thing to keep in mind
while waiting for your turn to race is don’t
be a parking lot hero, save it for the track!
Riding and showing off in the parking lot (also
known as pit riding) is frowned on by track officials
and can be dangerous to both the rider and other
people in attendance and some tracks even incur
penalties for racers that are caught pit riding.
| |
|
It
won't be long till you get your first checkered
flag and feel the excitement of finishing
your first ATV race, and for many, it becomes
a life changing event, Wish you luck, be
safe, & have fun!!! |
So it’s time for your moto. You’re
sitting on the gate, you’re nervous as can
be, your adrenaline is pumping, you’ve got
that sick feeling in your stomach, and you’re
wondering if you’re really ready for this…we
can assure you that feeling this way is completely
normal! If you keep in mind these few simple things,
you should have a good experience your first time
out. The first is, do not try to ride above your
skill level or you will surely end up in a world
of hurt. Second, try to relax, which we know,
is easier said than done, but after all, it’s
your first time racing so no one is expecting
you to go out there and win. The third and most
important thing to remember is…Have fun!
After all, that’s why you wanted to race
in the first place.
|
